Nor’easter expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon

Strong wind gusts are expected to begin blowing through the region starting around 2 p.m. Wednesday, when a nor’easter arrives with rain, possible wet snow in higher elevations and minor to moderate coastal flooding at high tides at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, and 4 a.m. Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for New London County from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 4 a.m. Thursday, and a coastal flood watch from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday.

David Stark, meteorologist with the weather service, said tonight that gusts will be 45 to 60 mph Wednesday afternoon, and as high as 70 mph in the evening. Rain is expected to start by late morning or early afternoon, and could be heavy at times.

“We could see trees and power lines come down, and more beach erosion,” he said. “Anything weakened by the storm last week could come down.”

Temperatures are predicted to be in the low to mid-40s during the day, dropping to the 30s in the evening.